Rep. Tom Morrison Calls For Adoption of Revenue Estimate

on
Monday, April 30, 2018

State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) joined
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) today in filing
a resolution in support of adopting a revenue estimate in order to begin
serious budget discussions for Fiscal Year 2019.

“It is our constitutional duty to taxpayers across Illinois
to spend within our means – something we have not done in decades here at the
Capitol,” Durkin said. “The rejection of certifying a revenue estimate in
Springfield is not acceptable and is legislative malpractice. We owe it to
Illinois taxpayers to take this first step in finally balancing the state’s
checkbook and putting Illinois on the right track towards fiscal stability.”

House Joint Resolution 124 adopts a revenue estimate of
$37.672 billion for fiscal year 2019, based on the estimate provided by the
Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA).

“COGFA is a well-respected non-partisan organization that
provides the General Assembly with reliable data on which we can make good
decisions,” said Morrison. “Their revenue estimate of $37.67 billion is based
on thorough research and I encourage the House and Senate to adopt their
estimate without delay so it may be used as the starting point of formulating a
balanced budget for Fiscal year 2019.”

According to Morrison, a revenue estimate is required by
state law:

The
House and Senate by joint resolution shall adopt or modify such estimates as
may be appropriate. The joint resolution shall constitute the General
Assembly’s estimate, under paragraph B of Section 2 of Article VIII of the
Constitution, of funds estimated to be available during the next fiscal year
(25 ILCS 155/4(a))

It is also required by Subsection (b) of Section 2 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Illinois:

Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year.